Red Sox Spring Report: Rafael Devers likely to return to No. 2 spot in lineup

Three things you need to know out of Fort Myers:

1. Rafael Devers likely to hit second in lineup.

On Friday, the Red Sox third baseman made his Grapefruit League debut, which had been delayed when Devers left camp for the birth of his daughter.

He found himself hitting second against the Minnesota Twins, which is where he hit for about half of last season (71 out of 152 starts) and Ron Roenicke suggested that would likely be the case again this season. It doesn't hurt that Devers hit .334 in that spot last year with a 1.032 OPS.



"Second, certainly is a spot that it could be," Roenicke told reporters Friday. "Then you push three and four with Bogey (Xander Bogaerts) and J.D. (Martinez) but we’ll see how it plays out. I think the way he’s become consistent I guess with what he does, I think second makes sense. If (Andrew Benintendi) continues to look like he’s gonna lead off, then probably second."

In recent years, teams have often put some of their best hitters in the second spot. The Los Angeles Angels, for instance, have used Mike Trout as their No. 2 hitter often.

"The numbers prove I guess, that the two spot is huge in your lineup and creating runs,'' said Roenicke. "I know it gives you whatever it is extra at-bats whether it’s 20, 30 extra at-bats in a season by being second versus third. You want him up there more often so I guess that’s the new way to do it."

Devers told reporters: "Obviously, I had a lot of success hitting in the two-hole last year and it's not going to change my approach either way. I'm still going to do what I have to do -- go out there and work hard and my preference would be to bat second.''

2. Busy day for pitchers looking to make the roster.

In a 4-1 loss to the Twins, the Red Sox trotted out a number of arms in competition for the No. 5 starter's spot, or, at the very least, some available bullpen spots.

Lefty Kyle Hart, who was added to the 40-man roster over the winter, got the start and tossed two scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout.

Austin Brice (obtained from Miami) and holdover Hector Velazquez each contribute a scoreless inning, though Velazquez issued two walks.

Finally, Matt Hall (acquired from the Tigers) had a scoreless eighth while registering two strikeouts.

3. Here come the Yankees.

On Saturday, the Red Sox will get a look at the Yankees for the first time this spring. But it's likely that the squad that makes the two hour-plus ride from Tampa won't look like the lineup the Red Sox will see once the season starts.

Instead, expect a lot of bench players and minor leaguers to dot the lineup for the Yanks.

Being home, the Red Sox will likely field a more representative lineup, with Eduardo Rodriguez, the team's best starter last season, on the mound.